Burguete (Auritz in Basque) sits at 890 m in a broad valley, with wide streets lined by traditional Navarrese houses — whitewashed stone with dark timber balconies. The town is little changed since Ernest Hemingway stayed here in 1924 on a fishing trip that would make its way into The Sun Also Rises.

The Hotel Burguete (formerly Hotel Juandeaburre) where Hemingway lodged still operates, though it's been modernized. Several bars and restaurants serve the town, and the trout from these rivers still ends up on dinner tables. There's a small grocery shop for supplies.

The architecture here is distinctly Pyrenean — look for the massive stone houses with their wide eaves, designed to shed heavy snow. The parish church of San Nicolás de Bari anchors the village.

Fiesta

San Juan is celebrated June 24-26. An arts festival takes place on the second Sunday of August, and a farming festival on the last Sunday of September.

The Road

Watch carefully through town — the camino takes a sharp right turn about halfway through. There are plenty of arrows marking it, but distracted walkers still miss it. The route continues on flat terrain toward Espinal.

City Map